Linotype-machine



No. Bl9,875. Patented Feb. 2|, I899. P. T. DODGE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

V v a/vu/w: 2-2.

No. 6l9 ,875. Patented Feb. 2|, I899. P. T. DODGE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

(Amman on 81 d Dec. 9 1898) 2 Shouts-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

warn 66196.5 MW Q-QQNK .ZEwenZbr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP TELL DODGE, OF \VASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TOTHE MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,875, dated February21, 1899.

Application filed December 9, 1898. Serial No. 698,796. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP TELL DODGE, of Washington, District ofColumbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement inLinotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In Letters Patent of the United States No. 547,633 forlinotype-machines, issued to me on the 8th of October, 1895, is shown amachine containing matrices each with two letters, one above the other,and a composing mechanism provided with a movable switch, by means ofwhich the individual matrices may be delivered to the line in theassembling-elevator at higher or lower levels, as demanded, so as tobring the upper or the lower characters into position for use.

The object of the present invention is to provide for the delivery ofthe matrices into the line in the higher or lower position, as demanded,without making use of the switching mechanism. It is the special objectof the present invention to secure the desired delivery of the matricesin the commercial Morgenthaler machine of the present day and withoutmaking substantial change therein.

To this end the present invention consists in combining with theassembling-elevator adapted to maintain matrices at difierent levelstherein means by which the elevator may be quickly raised or lowered toa limited extent in relation to the devices which deliver the matricesthereto, so that the matrices will enter the elevator in a higher orlower relation thereto, as may he demanded.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown only such parts of the machineas are necessary to an understanding of my invention, and it is to beunderstood that in all other respects the machine may be of any ordinaryor approved construction.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the assembling mechanism with myimprovement incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section onthe line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is avertical section looking from therear toward the front through the assembling devices on larger scale.

Referring to the drawings, G G represent the channels through which thematrices descend successively to an inclined traveling belt H, by whichthey are directed downward over guiding-surfaces in front of the rotaryassembling-wheel or star-wheel h by which they are driven forward, oneafter another, into the top of the assembling-elevator I, in which theyare assembled or composed in line. After the composition of the line inthis elevator is completed the elevator is raised and the linetransferred to the casting mechanism and thereafter to the distributerat the top of the machine.

The foregoing parts are constructed and operated in the ordinary mannerexcept that the assembling-elevator I is constructed, as shown incross-section in Fig. 2, with the lower horizontal shoulder '5 tosustain the matrices at the lower or normal level therein and with asecond rib or shoulder i, at a higher level, extending horizontally andimmovably across the assembler from one end to the other. With theelevator thus constructed it follows that when it is in its normalposition the matrices will be delivered from the star-wheel onto thelower shoulders, so that the upper characters in the matrices will standat the alining-level. When, however, the elevator is lowered to theproper extent, the incoming matrices will be delivered upon the uppershoulder i, and thus sustained above the normal position, so that theirlower characters stand at the alining-level. By controlling the heightof the elevator all of the matrices may be delivered at the lower or allat the higher level or in one line different matrices may stand atdifferent levels, and in this way the italic or other secondarycharacters which usually occupy the lower positions on the matrices maybe brought into operative position in the composed line at will.

The height of the elevator during the composition may be regulated byany suitable means adapted for instantaneous and easy adjustment by theoperator at the keyboard.

A simple contrivance for the purpose is that shown in Fig. 1, consistingof a horizontal rock-shaft K, mounted in the frame below the elevator,with a finger-key k and with a projection 70, acting beneath and givingsupport to the elevator. When the parts stand in the position shown byfull lines in Fig. 1, the elevator stands in its higher and normalposition. \Vhen, however, the finger-key is raised, as shown in dottedlines, the elevator will be lowered, so as to receive the matrices inthe upper position therein.

It will be manifest to the skilled mechanic that there are a greatvariety of devices which may be used as movable supports for theelevator and which may be quickly operated to raise or lower the same.

After the line has been composed in the elevator it will be transferredand handled in the machine in the ordinary manner, the machine beingprovided, as shown in the Dodge patent and in the pending application ofJ. R. Rogers, Serial No. 675,109, with means for maintaining the propervertical adjustment of the matrices in their course to the mold and whenpresented thereto and for subsequently restoring all the matrices in theline to a given level for presentation to the distributing devices,these features forming no part of the present invention.

I believe the present to be the first instance in which theassembling-elevator, adapted to sustain matrices at difierent levelstherein, has been combined with means for raising or lowering itinstantly, so that the matrices delivered always at one level by theassembling mechanism may be received into the elevator at diiferentelevations in relation thereto.

That I claim as my invention is 1. In a linotype-machine, mechanismdelivering matrices at a fixed level, an assembling-elevator providedwith means for sustaining matrices at different levels therein, andmeans for instantly adjusting said elevator to different fixed heightsin relation to the matrix-delivering devices, whereby the matrices maybe assembled in higher or lower relations to the elevator at will.

2. In a linotype-machine, in combination with the star-wheel, theassembling-elevator provided with matrix-supporting shoulders atdifferent levels, and means for instantly adjusting said elevator toreceive the matrices on the upper or the lower shoulder.

3. In a linotype-machine, an assemblingelevator adapted and arranged toreceive and support matrices at dilferent heights therein, incombination with a finger-key device for raising and lowering saidelevator.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this th day of November,1898, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

PHILIP TELL DODGE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, \VILLIAM II. GRUBER.

